The Province of Batangas actually has an anti-discrimination ordinance (Provincial Ordinance No. 05 – September 23, 2015) that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and yet not all needs of LGBTQIA people are catered to. This is according to Ivan Alvarez, founding head of Wagayway Equality, Inc., which renders services to a community that continues to be neglected even if they are supposed to already be in the mainstream.
Established in 2018, “we saw the need to formalize the formation of Wagayway Equality, Inc.,” Alvarez said in the vernacular, adding that there are still numerous issues for LGBTQIA people outside of metropolitan areas.
For now at least, Wagayway Equality, Inc.’s services are focused on:
- HIV-related services, including screening and testing, as well as linking to treatment, care and support.
- Human rights and legal services, including running the Equality Desk with the local government unit of Batangas City.
- Running “Espasyo”, a community center for LGBTQIA people and key affected populations of HIV.
- Socioeconomic services because “providing LGBTQIA people with livelihood empowers them”.
On Espasyo, in particular, Iain Velasco, HR officer of Wagayway Equality, Inc., said also in the vernacular that having an LGBTQIA center is important because “we treat it as a safe space where we’re far from stigma and discrimination.”
Alvarez said that there remain challenges for Wagayway Equality, Inc., particularly keeping talents “since most of us have work, and so have different priorities”; and funding for sustainability. There are efforts done on these, including regular staff training to make them want to stay; as well as identifying other sources of funds (aside from donor agencies). The goal, in the end, is “we hope to find ways for the NGO to continue to deliver services,” Alvarez ended.
Wagayway Equality, Inc. is located at ESPASYO Community Center, 3/F Golden Core Ville Bldg., Nueva Villa Subd., Brgy. Alangilan, Batangas City.
